Friday, May 6, 2011

Before Romeo and friends enter Capulet's party, what hint is given that something tragic will happen in Romeo and Juliet?

In Act I, Scene 4 Romeo, Mercutio, Benvolio and the other Montague men are on their way to crash Capulet's party. Romeo has learned that Rosaline, the girl he is in love with, will be at the party and Benvolio has urged Romeo to compare Rosaline to the other women of Verona. After enduring some light hearted chiding about his love life from Mercutio, Romeo reveals he has had a dream, but before he can describe it, Mercutio launches into his Queen Mab speech. Mercutio holds court with his fantastical story for most of the scene but in the end, as the other men are on their way, Romeo, in an aside says,




I fear too early, for my mind misgives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels, and expire the term
Of a despisèd life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.



Romeo's aside foreshadows later events in the story as he meets Juliet in the next scene at the party, putting in motion the events which will ultimately lead to the double suicide of Romeo and Juliet. Of course, the tragic events should come as no surprise because Shakespeare announces the tragic ending of the play in his opening Prologue: 





From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life





That Romeo should reveal these feelings reinforces the theme of fate in the play. Romeo is ruled by some force which he can neither understand nor avoid. 


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